Australian Maritime College

Northern Territory


Maritime Way
Newnham 7250
Web address: www.amc.edu.au
ADS contact phone: +61 (3) 6335 4708
ADS contact fax: +61 (3) 6326 7233
Relevant campuses: Newnham, Beauty Point.

Community and surrounds

The main campus of the Australian Maritime College (AMC) is six kilometres from the Launceston city centre. Launceston is on the island State of Tasmania.

Nestled on the Tamar River, Launceston has a population of around 100,000. One of the oldest cities in Australia, its architecture retains a 19th century feel. It is the commercial and cultural centre of northern Tasmania, with easy access to shopping facilities, theatres and restaurants. There are numerous parks within walking distance of the city. Launceston is reasonably close to forests, wilderness, world heritage areas, ski fields and beaches.

The Beauty Point campus is about 50 kilometres north of Launceston, near the mouth of the Tamar River. Beauty Point is a popular venue for fishing and sailing. Some of Tasmania’s renowned wilderness areas are within a few kilometres of the campus. Important industries in the region of northern Tasmania include agriculture, fishing, forestry and tourism.

Climate

The average summer temperature is 24 degrees Celsius, though it can rise above 30 degrees. In winter, the average temperature is around 12 degrees in the day, and about six degrees at night. AMC buildings are heated appropriately.

Cost of living and accomodation

A single student should allow at least $12,000 a year to cover living expenses and couples without children should allow $16,000 a year.

Residential accommodation is provided on both campuses and consists of single study-bedrooms. Costs vary ($182-214), according to the option chosen. Most students choose the yearly plan ($182 a week), which includes 10 meals a week, Monday to Friday.

Rental accommodation off campus ranges from $50 (room in share house) to $150 (three-bedroom house) a week, with additional costs for food, furniture, power and heating.

Campus descriptions

The Australian Maritime College has two campuses: Newnham and Beauty Point. The main campus is at Newnham. The Faculty of Maritime Engineering and Transport is located here, as well as the main administrative services and a range of sporting and recreation facilities, including those on the adjacent university campus. There are about 850 students on the Newnham campus.

The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Environment is situated on the Beauty Point campus. About 400 students attend this campus. The college’s training vessels and practical training facilities are situated here, near the mouth of the Tamar. A recreation centre and sailing facilities are available through the campus.

Both campuses have excellent library resources and access to world class research facilities.

International student population

In 2003, there were about 300 international students from about 45 different countries. Of these, about 80 were from East Asia, 42 from New Zealand, 25 from Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands, 40 from South Asia (including India and Pakistan), eight from Africa, and nine from the UAE. The remaining international students were from European countries or America.

Family and community services

Student Services facilitates links between overseas students and the Tasmanian community. Opportunities are organised for international students and their families to meet Australian families and other students' families.

Launceston has one public hospital (the Launceston General Hospital) and two private hospitals (St Luke’s Private hospital and St Vincent's Private Hospital). The city has a range of medical clinics and doctors.

Dependants who are of school age can be enrolled into Tasmanian State Government or independent schools.

Childcare facilities

Childcare services are available close to the Newnham campus. Costs are around $50 per day, with concession rates for students.

Foods for different cultures

To meet the needs of international visitors, the local supermarkets have a range of Asian and other cultural foods and spices. There are also some Asian restaurants and take-away establishments in the city, including one which specialises in halal food.


Religious facilities

There is a range of different Christian churches in Launceston. There are small communities of other faiths including Bahai, Buddhist, Islamic and Jewish. Muslim students have access to a prayer room.

The AMC Chaplain can assist students who wish to contact any of these groups.


Public transport

From the airport: Tasmania is linked to the mainland of Australia by regular air and sea services. Launceston’s airport is less than 20 kilometres from the city and Newnham campus. New students will be met at the Launceston airport by a member of AMC staff and transported to the college. A regular coach service operates between the airport and the Launceston city centre. Alternatively, it costs around $30 for a taxi from the airport to the Newnham campus.

Getting around: Most students live within walking distance of either campus and close to shops and essential services. The Newnham campus is well serviced by public transport. Regular bus services operate on many routes around Launceston. The Metro bus service runs between the city and the Newnham campus every 20 minutes at around $2 a trip. A Metro 10 Ticket is available for around $11.50.

Tamar Valley Coaches operate a service between Beauty Point and Launceston. The fare is around $7 and the trip takes about 40 minutes.

Sometimes, students are required to travel to other locations for classes or ship visits. Transport is provided for students required to attend classes at locations other than the campus at which their course is usually conducted.